CIS2: 4. Can We Trust the Computer?

• recognize the benefits and dangers associated with computers
• select web sites that provide additional insight into the issues
• examine issues raised in discussions
• write thoughtful responses to questions asked

• We are becoming more dependent on technology. What safeguards should there be to ensure that we are safe from this technology?
• Who should be responsible in the case of technology doing damage or causing injury?
• What computer errors are just annoying? What are some examples of serious computer errors?
• What is the difference between a "design flaw" and a "bug"? Is one more serious than the other?
• What legal remedies should be available in cases of computer hardware and software problems?
• Are we too dependent on computers?
• How reliable and accurate are computer models? Are there computer models that are "better" than real life testing?
• Which people or organizations have helped make systems safer or reduced the negative consequences of errors?

1. Read the 4. Can We Trust the Computer? notes for an overview for the topics that will be covered this week.

2. Read text book - Chapter 4: Can We Trust the Computer?

3. Search the web for sites that talk about medicine and computers. Find one that you think are particularly interesting. Write a critical-thinking question about the social issues discussed. Post the web site address and your question to the Forum discussion Medicine and Computers. At least one of your "finds" should be dated within the last year. Facilitate your discussion and participate in at least 2 other disucssions. Things to think about - Why is this important to society? What is the impact on society?
   Be aware of the dates on sources of material. Just like old library books or periodicals, old web articles can provide misleading and out-dated information.

4. Facilitate a discussion in the Forum topic Can We Trust the Computer? based on your reading from the textbook. Write a critical-thinking question based on your reading in this Chapter. What questions are raised for society?
   REMINDER: Your responses to this and all other assignments will be graded for college-level writing. Spelling and grammar errors will result in deductions. Late submissions will be accepted but points will be deducted. Complete and thoughtful replies that demonstrate original thinking and personal experience will be rewarded with extra points. For more information, see Grading Criteria.
   Read other students' posts and comment on Can We Trust the Computer? discussion. Provide another viewpoint or add additional information. Your responses should be 2-3 sentences. Conclude YOUR post with a question that needs more than a yes-or-no answer. The objective is to get a real discussion going on several of these topics.

5. Read a few items in the current issue of the Risks Forum http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks and post a brief 1-2 sentence summary of one item to Risks Forum discussion.

6. The groups this week are based on the first letter of your LAST name. The general topic for group discussion this week is Working as a Group Online. Creating and reviewing the summary should be a group activity. Post the ideas from your Group to the Online Group Work discussion. Discuss how working as a group online feels? Do you have any suggestions for doing group work online? What would help you personally do group work online? Discuss these thoughts and suggestions in your group.
   Groups can decide how to do this assignment. For example, if you think that using instant messaging will be helpful, schedule a time for everyone to get together and chat. Read the postings in at least one other group. Did you discover some good ideas? Report any good ideas to your own group.

7. But can we trust other people? Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/ is an online encyclopedia with articles written and edited by site visitors. This four-year-old experiment in creating an open-source reference "book" houses more than 1.5 million articles (about 700,000 in English) and is growing daily. Wikipedia receives 60 million visitors a day. Although Wikipedia's success has been tarnished a little by vandalism, some misinformation, and fights over certain controversial topics, the wiki concept of an open site maintained by its users, has been a hit.
   Look in Wikipedia for a topic that interests you or read the daily feature on the front page. Look at the history and discussion for the topic you select. Find a contributor with a profile and read their profile. See if there is any controversy in the discussion. Some topics have caused considerable discussion as there are a broad range of views. For some topics, there is even conflicting scientific data to support opposing views. In the Wikipedia and Trust discussion provide the link to page you reviewed and a brief summary of the story behind the story.

8. For the Trusting Computers assignment, there are TWO multiple choice questions and several possible answers for each. Select ONLY ONE choice for each question. There may be other answers that are important but you are to select just ONE (1) answer for each question. For each questions provide 1-2 paragraphs to explain your choice.
   If you select more than one answer in the multiple choice, points will be deducted. The objective is to make a selection and tell why you made that choice.

9. Your participation in class discussions is important. Throughout the quarter, discussion participation will be reviewed and graded. The discussion participation grade will contribute to your final grade for the course.

10. Coming next week - MidTerm Short Paper. Choose one of the Chapter topics that we have covered. Prepare a 600-800 word paper discussing a point of view about the topic you select. For more info see module 5. Freedom of Speech in Cyberspace
    Before submitting your Final version, have your draft reviewed. Post your paper for review by other students in the MidTerm Paper Peer Review discussion (in module 5 forums)
    AND
    Have your paper reviewed by DeAnza Online Writing Assistance Center. Online writing assistance is available for distance learning students taking classes that involve writing assignments. Please contact the Writing Center. For instructions to create an account and submit your paper for review, go to Information About DeAnza Online Tutoring. http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/writingcenter/
    In order to use the service, students must register by filling out a tutee application, which you can access online from the above URL. Setting up an account and being assigned a tutor will take 2-3 days. Complete the application NOW. Be sure to leave enough time to write your paper and have it reviewed (48 hours) before submitting it on the Due Date.

11. Throughout the quarter, watch for news items about computers and society. For extra credit, post a link and a 1-2 sentence note about why you think that the news item is applicable to this class to the News Items discussion. Also submit the web address and description to the News Item - Extra Credit assignment. You can post News Items any time. However only one will receive extra credit points. Note: there are several other extra credit assignments, as well.

12. Work through the exercises in the textbook. These will not be graded, but you should think about how you would respond to these questions and situations.

13. Reflection - What have you learned about Trusting Computers and how this applies to Computers and Society from the notes, readings and assignments? Are you more aware of computers around you? Are computers affecting society? This should be one or two paragraphs. Use the I Think... 4 assignment to submit your note.